Annual Auckland Picnic at Orewa, 1969

1969
  • Deaf Clubs
Members of the Auckland Deaf Society and friends attend the annual picnic at Orewa Beach in March 1969.
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From New Zealand Deaf News, 1969, Vol. 6, No. 2:

A very happy day in lovely weather was enjoyed by members of the Auckland Deaf Society and friends who attended the annual picnic at Orewa Beach on 16 March 1969.

A large group of Auckland Deaf Society members go to a picnic at Orewa Beach on a beautiful day. On the North end of the beach, they participate in a series of tug-of-war contests and try to pull a car. Men and ladies model in swimsuit competitions for the prize of Mr Auckland and Mrs ADS 1969. Bernard Clews wins the men category with Miss J.Pearce the winner of the ladies. There are also sprinting contests, along with egg-throwing and soccer on the beach.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Doug Croskery

Wenderholm, Long Bay and a Trophy on the Side!

Doug shares his favourite Auckland Deaf Society picnic locations, Wenderholm Park and Long Bay. The club used them on alternate years and both had big grassy spaces, plenty of shade and easy access to swimming. Doug also talks about how he won the Oliver Trophy for Step Distance with a clever strategy. Later, he shared his secret with his wife, who went on to win the trophy two years later. Doug came in a close second and took the loss happily.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Richard Hay

From Behind the Camera to Bodybuilding Runner-Up: Richard’s First Deaf Society Picnic!

Richard reminisces about his first Auckland Deaf Society picnic at Long Bay in 1990. At just 18 years old, he was full of excitement – and luckily, he had borrowed his mum’s video camera to capture the day, including the infamous tug-of-war! Encouraging others to take turns filming, he documented the fun while stepping out of his comfort zone. Despite his shyness, he even took part in the bodybuilding show, and to his surprise, placed second!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

The Oliver Trophy Challenge: One Step at a Time

The Oliver Trophy – Step Distance is a well-known award at the Auckland Deaf Society annual picnic. Open to men and women aged 40 and over, the goal is to match a set distance as closely as possible. Each year, the distance changes. In 2004, when Pam Croskery won, the target was 43 metres. Everyone had their own strategy to get as close as they could!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

From Eggs to Gumboots: Classic ADS Picnic Games

Pam recalls her favourite games from the Auckland Deaf Society picnics. One standout was the pea-spitting contest, where someone’s false teeth famously flew out mid-spit! Other popular events included messy raw egg challenges, gumboot throwing, and even bodybuilding competitions. Club picnics were often held at Long Bay.
Taonga source:
Janice and Gary Howard
Original format:
400ft 8mm
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, JH02-02-CE69
Note:
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